It may also contravene a 1994 law guaranteeing British investment against expropriation.

ECONOMIST: South African mining

But there have been claims that organised spontaneity is a sham and that such prayers would still contravene the law.

BBC: 'Spontaneous' prayer tackles ban

The new Court of Appeal, meanwhile, handed down the judgment that Hong Kong's courts have no right to challenge a decision by China's National People's Congress, even if it seems to contravene the Basic Law.

ECONOMIST: Hong Kong: Such calm, such politeness | The